Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: IndiGo, India’s largest domestic airline, is facing one of its most severe operational breakdowns in recent years, triggering nationwide chaos as more than 100 flights were cancelled on Thursday due to technical issues and crew shortages. Massive delays added to the crisis, with airports in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Indore witnessing long queues and frustrated passengers stranded for hours.
Nearly 200 Flights Cancelled in 48 Hours as Airports Descend Into Chaos
In just two days, IndiGo has cancelled over 200 flights — including 42 in Bengaluru, 38 in Delhi, 25 in Ahmedabad, 11 in Indore, 19 in Hyderabad, 8 in Surat, and 10 in Kolkata. Passengers reported last-minute cancellations that completely derailed travel plans, while check-in counters became overcrowded from early morning. Angry customers flooded social media with complaints, highlighting a lack of communication and support from the airline.
Multiple Factors Blamed, Airline Promises Normalcy in 48 Hours
IndiGo said the disruption was caused by a mix of technical issues, winter-related schedule changes, bad weather, excessive airport rush and the impact of recently updated crew regulations. The carrier claims flight operations will stabilise within the next 48 hours, with schedules being realigned to minimise inconvenience. Passengers affected by cancellations are being rebooked on alternative flights or provided refunds, the airline asserted while issuing an apology.
Staff Shortage and System Failure Intensify Crisis; Pilot Body Rejects Airline’s Explanation
Sources say severe internal system failures have slowed check-in, baggage drop and security procedures, causing an additional 25–40 minutes per passenger due to manual processing. Meanwhile, a shortage of pilots and crew has worsened the disruption. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) dismissed IndiGo’s justification, stating the crisis stems from “years of flawed policies” and under-staffing that the airline ignored for too long.
Have New DGCA Fatigue Rules Added Pressure to Airlines?
The disruption comes soon after DGCA enforced stricter pilot welfare and fatigue guidelines:
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Mandatory weekly rest increased to 48 hours from the earlier 36 hours
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Airlines must maintain detailed pilot health and fatigue reports
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Quarterly compliance reporting to DGCA made compulsory
These rules have increased operational pressure on all airlines, including IndiGo, though the scale of disruption appears unique to IndiGo.
